News & Events
Unlocking Cassava Potential for Food and Industrial Use to Benefit Smallholder Farmers in East Africa
NAIROBI, KENYA JUNE 4TH 2010 - Recognizing the potential of cassava as the ‘poverty and drought fighter’ crop in Africa, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and Farm Concern International have launched a 3 year program that will help 30,000 small holder farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania increase cassava for food and industrial use by processing it at village level.
AGRA and IFDC Launch Program in Northern Ghana to Improve Market Access for Farmers
TAMALE, GHANA (20 May 2010)—Farmers in Northern Ghana will benefit from a new program aimed to increase their earning potential. The program, launched by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the International Centre for Soil Fertility (IFDC), will create more sustainable markets where farmers can sell their produce for a profit.
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs: Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security
AGRA President Dr. Namanga Ngongi speaks at The Chicago Council Symposium on Agriculture and Food Security in Washington DC.
Global Trust Fund Launched to Support Small Farmers
New Class of PhD Students in Agricultural Science Graduate from African Centre for Crop Improvement
PIETERMARITZBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (20 April 2010)—Seven agricultural PhD candidates sponsored by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) graduated this week from an advanced studies program in plant breeding at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. The students will employ the tools, knowledge, and experience gained from their studies to take on the challenge of improving food security against the backdrop of unstable economic systems, rising food prices and input costs, diminishing soil health, and climate change.
Kofi Annan- Video Address to GCARD 2010
Small Seed Packets Open Doors for African Farmers
Nairobi (25 March 2010)—Taking a lead from the success of fast-moving consumer products in rural areas, local African seed companies and NGOs are reducing the size of packets of seeds and fertilizers to help smallholder farmers take the first steps to scale-up production. Like cell phone scratch cards, small packets of high-quality seeds can be bought for just a few shillings, enabling farmers to try out the seed before risking their money on large purchases for uncertain results.
Unique Trust Bank and IFDC Signs an MoU to make Credit Available to Agro Input Dealers in Ghana
Accra, Ghana (February 2010) – The Unique Trust Bank and the International Centre for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development (IFDC) with funding from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), have made available GHC 950,000($680,000)credit facility to selected members of the Ghana Agro Input Dealers Association(GAIDA) across the country.
19 March 2010
Beans in Rwanda: The Day ISAR Released 15 New Bean Varieties
Agricultural researchers in Rwanda invited hundreds of smallholder farmers, government officials and development partners in January to the release of 15 newly bred and improved climbing, bush or snap varieties of beans, a staple food and major source of protein diets in Rwanda. The varieties could triple the yield of ordinary varieties grown by farmers, thus helping to improve food security and nutrition for rural households in Rwanda.
Ghana-Denmark in accord to support Private Sector Development – AGRA a key implementing partner
In December, the governments of Denmark and Ghana announced unique initiative which aims to support the creation of good and sustainable private sector employment for millions of Ghanaians over the next four years.
Smallholder farming in Africa: Climate Casualty or Pioneer?
Over 500 Agro-dealers Certified to Supply Farmers with Inputs
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana in collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and International Centre for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development (IFDC) officially certified 594 agro-dealers at Ejisu in the Ashanti region.
New Publication: The African Seed Company Toolbox
The African Seed Company Toolbox is a collection of tools written for managers of seed companies in sub-Saharan Africa working with smallholder farmers. The tools cover a variety of topics in three general areas: production, marketing and distribution, and business management. Included as part of the Toolbox is a set of interactive exhibits which can be customized for individual company use. The Toolbox was constructed by Aline O’Connor Funk, based on input and questions from the managers of 20 African seed companies, and was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.